As the country heads toward another possible showdown or shutdown, members of Congress are growing increasingly aggravated.  David Trone, Maryland’s Democratic representative, is no exception.  Asked recently if he saw a plan coming from the Republican side of the aisle, his answer was a negative…    

Maryland Public Television will showcase Western Maryland on its popular Destination Maryland program.  In the November 22 episode, hosts Tony and Sara chronicle their adventures in the mountains of Western Maryland. They will take viewers on a journey from the beauty of Swallow Falls State Park and the mountaintop ziplines of Wisp Resort, to a world-famous Del-Fest in Cumberland and Tonka Toy dreams in Hagerstown.  The show airs at 7pm.

Traffic Alert -  A tractor trailer brake fire on I-68 eastbound in the area of the Greene Street exit on the bridge.  Emergency Services are responding.

On Tuesday, November 14th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Michael Robert Caswell Jr, 36, of Cumberland MD. Caswell was arrested on an outstanding Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on November 13th. During that incident, it is alleged that Caswell assaulted a female victim, attacking them and breaking a bottle over their head. Caswell was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Michael Robert Caswell Jr          Age: 36 Charges: Assault…

Grants totaling $7.4 million to support wildlife habitat, climate resilience, and community conservation partnerships will be used to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay and watershed. The Chesapeake WILD program was established through legislation authored by Senators Van Hollen and Shelley Moore Capito and enacted into law in 2020. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation representative Jake Reilly says the grants will have a huge impact on conservation…    

Amazon will buy renewable energy from a solar project in Garrett County being built on the former site of a 120-year-old coalmine. Developer Competitive Power Ventures is investing $200 million in a brownfield in Garrett County. The new project will create 200 jobs and include more than 300,000 solar panels, making it the largest solar farm in the state.  Amazon will use the new facility to power its Amazon Web Services data centers as well as fulfillment centers and physical stores. It will also provide clean power to local communities. It is one of 78 new solar and wind projects…

Citing a “challenging fall,” and “loss around the world and in our own community,” University of Maryland President Darryll Pines has decided a longer Thanksgiving break would do the Terrapins some good.  An email went out to faculty and students advising them that Monday, November 20th classes would now be online while Tuesday classes were cancelled and Wednesday would be an administrative day. President Pines told students to rest and recharge.

The sweet sound of Salvation Army bell-ringers starts this weekend, but a not so sweet story is unfolding.  Captain Ronnette Smith was a guest on the Dave Norman show this week and talked about the Army’s struggles to meet community needs this year… To help our area Seniors, Dave Norman is buying 5 of the $50 gift cards needed to serve our older population and you can help as well –  send checks made out to the Salvation Army to WCBC at P.O. Box 1290 Cumberland and our staff will make sure they get to Captain Smith for Seniors’ Christmas meals……

Allegany County Tourism took home the ‘Best Website Award’ for mdmountainside.com during the 42nd Annual Maryland Travel and Tourism Summit’s Awards in Owings Mills. The Summit is Maryland’s annual tourism industry conference that brings together all sectors of the hospitality industry to learn new strategies in advancing the state’s tourism industry. The ‘Best Website Award’ goes to a recipient whose website demonstrates a creative implementation of a brand that is visually pleasing, unique, captures the spirit of the brand, and is user-friendly.

Allegany County is working through its first year of the Blueprint For Education.  School Superintendent Jeff Blank says the schools are doing well so far in the first year of implementation and talked about one of the five pillars of the program – College and Career Readiness… If a student is instead planning a trade career, there are benchmarks for that as well…